HC Deb 01 November 1957 vol 575 cc119-20W
Mr. Mathew

asked the President of the Board of Trade when further classes of agreements will be called up for registration under the Restrictive Trade Practices Act. 1956.

Mr. Vaughan-Morgan

The Board has made an Order (the Registration of Restrictive Trading Agreements Order, 1957), calling up for registration all restrictive trading agreements not covered by the Registration of Restrictive Trading Agreements Order, 1956. The agreements in question are, broadly, those which involve restrictions on the quantity or type of goods that may be produced or sold or which involve the division or sharing of markets or areas between suppliers.

It is intended to seek Parliamentary approval of the Order in the new Session and, if it is given, the Order will come into force on the 31st December, 1957. During the three months following that date, particulars of the classes of agreements covered by the Order must be furnished to the Registrar of Restrictive Trading Agreements.

Agreements which contain restrictions affecting exports but which do not affect the home market must, under section 31 of the Act, be notified to the Board of Trade.